Question

Use context clues to determine the meaning of the italicized word in the sentence below.

After the CEO was found guilty in court, he had to pay retribution to his customers. (retribution is underlined)

A. a reward given out of respect
B. a charitable donation
C. fees for services
D. compensation punishment

Answer 1

The answer is: [D]: "compensation punishment" .
_______________________________________________
Step-by-step explanation:
____________________________________________________
Note the following:

1) CEO found guilty in court;

2) had to pay (retribution) to customers.
_____________________________________________________
Choice [A]: "a reward given out of respect" — seems inconsistent with what a CEO, after having been found guilty in court, would have to pay his customers.
_____________________________________________________
Choice [B]: "a charitable contribution"— same as above - seems inconsistent, and especially unlikely since the CEO had to 'pay retribution to his customers —inconsistent with this answer choice: "a charitable contribution" .
_____________________________________________________
Choice [C]: "fees for services" — seems inconsistent or irrelevant to what a CEO would have to pay to customers after the CEO was found guilty in court.
_______________________________________________
So, we are left with:
________________________________________________
Choice: [D]: "compensation punishment".

This is consistent with what a CEO would, after having been found guilty in court, have to pay to his customers.
________________________________________________
So; the correct answer is: [D]: "compensation punishment" .
__________________________________________________

Answer 2

Taking into account the context clues, "retribution" means "compensation punishment".

Step-by-step explanation:

The key clue is that the CEO has been found guilty in court. Because of that, he/she has to pay a sum of money to his customers. Therefore, it makes no sense that he would give them a reward out of respect or a charitable donation since he/she is paying because he has been told to after having done something wrong (he has been found guilty in court). Furthermore, it would be odd for a CEO to pay fees for services to his/her customers, usually it would be the other way around since he/she would be the one providing the services. Consequently, it is only logical that the CEO has to pay compensation punishment for what he/she has done. He/she has committed a criminal act.